22 Days Congo River Cruise Behind The Scenes Experience

(Kisangani-Kinshasa by Private Local-Craft-Built Boat)

Following the Nile in Africa in terms of total length, the Congo River ranks second with 4,371 kilometers, and behind the Amazon in terms of global size, thanks to its average flow rate of 40,000 cubic meters per second. With depths exceeding 220 meters (720 feet), it also claims to be the deepest river on Earth. The river begins its journey in southern Katanga at an elevation of 1435 meters and winds its way across the country, passing through Kisangani, Mbandaka, Kinshasa, and Matadi on its way to the Atlantic Ocean, close to Banana.

The Atlantic Ocean portion is accessible between Kisangani and Kinshasa and Matadi, however the portion between and beyond those spans is severely unnavigable and extremely dangerous. Inga, a massive hydroelectric dam that supplies power to the DRC and other nearby nations, is located between the two segments and is navigable only through a series of rapids.

Important information about the river and your 22 Days Congo River Cruise:

  • Featuring a robust outboard motor, this boat is custom-built in the style typical of the Congo.
  • The crew consists of a professional guide, the branch manager, and the cooks.
  • Tents on the ground for the nights and evenings allow for interaction with locals in the friendly towns.
  • The program is indicative, and our cruise runs at a maximum capacity of 12 people to provide extra attention and safer sailing. Our crew will work around your schedule to implement any changes you suggest that meet your standards.

Considering the Congo? Always wanted to come to this river? Stop right here. Read:

FIRST, WE RECOMMEND FOR MOST GUESTS THE BEST OF DR CRUISING PRODUCT. THE BELOW CRC TOUR IS MORE SUITABLE FOR MEDIUM OR LARGE GROUPS WHO WOULD LIKE TO TRAVEL IN THE SPIRIT OF PRE-COLONIAL AFRICA.

Next, a word about the river and the region:

You should exercise extreme caution around resellers based in the United States, Europe, and some African countries, as they resell our excursions and are included on our agent blacklist. You should prepare and read thoroughly because reseller agents are full with false information and dishonest people.

Although it is open for 2017, the Congo River is huge and incredibly remote. It is certainly one of the few truly untamed locations on the planet, and assuredly one of the most remote in all of Africa.

A review of the circumstances and the briefing room portion is in order. Keep it in mind! Africa is not where this is filmed. Here we are in the Congo.

Unlike the other 190 nations you’ve been to so far, this one has its own unique charm. You won’t be prepared for what you’re about to experience in the Congo because it’s very different from that place.

Adventurers are valued by us. However, prior African travel experience is not only unrelated, but also poses a serious risk of misleading others.

Please pay attention, review your Congo River Cruise itinerary, and adjust your expectations in light of reality, the regulations, and the tour leader’s recommendations regarding this matter. Everyone on your journey is at risk if you aren’t paying attention.

Are you prepared? Then take a trip down Africa’s Mightiest and Most Epic River!

THIS IS JUST A MODEL – THE GROUP WILL USED A NEW BOAT AND DIFFERENT ROUTE EACH YEAR

(THIS IS NOT A DISNEY CRUISE, AND PLEASE BRING A SERIOUS GROUP AND SERIOUS FLEXIBILITY. THIS ROUTE IS JUST AN EXAMPLE OF A PAST CTT VOYAGE; HOWEVER, THE Itinerary IS AS FLUID AS THE RIVER ITSELF.)

NOTE: It is not safe for them, you, or the group to take pictures in areas where our guides and staff warn against it. The trip will be terminated for any tourist who breaks the rules.

It should be noted that any self-reliant traveler could try to plan a trip down the Congo River on their own. Attempting to obtain a visa, flying to Kisangani, finding a secure boat, quality unwatered fuel, boatmen, clean food, and a place to sleep each night before the river becomes dark are all tasks that you can accomplish independently for a month. We are unable to assist you with the budgeting or day-to-day planning of such a journey. A private boat’s gasoline costs a pretty penny. Pay close attention.


Congo A River Journey

Detailed 22 Days Congo River Cruise Itinerary

Day 1:

Travel to Kinshasa, meet your crew at the airport, and then be whisked away to your hotel (often the Hotel Leon). Briefing Overnight hotel stay. Tonight is free.

Day 2:

Start your day off right with a visit to Kinshasa and the Mausoleum of the late President Kabila. Don’t miss the symphony arts, the rapids of the Congo River, the Lola ya Bonobo refuge with its bonobos, the art market ‘For thieves,’ and other monuments and historic structures. Bedding down at the hotel

Day 3:

Proceed to the Kinshasa–Kisangani regular flight terminal. After you arrive, head to your accommodation to settle up before exploring Kisangani. Continue your stay at the motel tonight.

Day 4: Boat trip: Kisangani – Yangambi (95 km)

We stop at numerous towns and cities on our travels:

The settlement of Lokutu is home to 20,000 people and is characterized by its extensive plantations and oil palm trees. Lisala, the town where former president Mobutu Sese Seko was born and raised, Bumba, and Mombongo are also part of this region. We used to go to this little municipal maternity clinic, and that’s where he was born.

Mobutu, King of Zaire, was born behind a huge rock in the village’s wide-trunked tree.

Along this almost 20-kilometer-wide section of the river you can find fishing communities and a number of islands. On our way to Mbandaka, we stop in the communities of IATE Moleka, Bolombo, Bolombo, Malonga, and Makanza.

Day 12:

Once you reach Mbandaka, check into a hotel and take it easy for the day.

Mbandaka, formerly known as Coquilathville, is the capital of the equator province and was established in 1883 by Henry Morton Stanley. It is situated at the confluence of the Congo and Ruki rivers.

There are still several beautiful colonial homes in the city. The tribute Mongo people coexist peacefully with the Pygmies in this town.

Geographical experts have determined that the city lies exactly on the equator. At 5 kilometers from the city center, a fat stone is set to indicate the line’s passing.

Visiting the neighborhood:

The Eala Botanical Garden and the Catholic mission Bamanya.

In 1900, Belgian botanist Emile Laurent founded the Botanical Garden of Eala. The Belgian Congo’s National Institute for Agronomic Studies also had its headquarters there. There are 3,200 plant and tree species, 12,000 seagrasses, and a number of fruit trees in the garden. EALA, one of Africa’s biggest gardens, is dedicated to studying agronomic species and preserving the continent’s botanical variety. Despite the fact that it is a botanical park, we have revealed the existence of a crocodile that has been kept there since 1953.

Day 13:

Tour the city (including the famous Musse market), the Eala Botanical Garden, the Catholic mission Bamanya, and the Night Hotel after breakfast.

Days 14, 15; 16:

We will temporarily disembark from the boat to visit the Bonobos in the Malebo reserve during our 505 km boat ride from Mbandaka to Bolobo. Along the way, we will visit settlements such as:

Irrebi: visit the Congolese navy’s commando training center to meet Chief Lolo and get an account of the adventures and history of the Congo River Navy.

A number of fishing camps, including Ngomnbe, Lukolela (the capital area of Lukolele), Tchumbiri, and others.

Day 17:

Upon reaching Bolobo, the Catholic priests will have the evening and night to themselves at the inn.

Day 18:

Travel to Nkala, a settlement in the Malebo reserve, pay a respectful visit to the village chief, and see the folklore ensemble Teke ‘Ekoulbalow’ perform a few dance movements. Mbomou-Tour is a farm where you can spend the night in a tent.

Day 19:

The trackers will be out in the woods first thing in the morning to look for bonobos. Around twelve o’clock, return to the villages. Join our boat at Tchumbiri town after lunch, and then descend to Kinshasa.

Day 20:

After you descend, stop by the town of Ndombe Bac Mai and see the Teke tribe’s traditional chief, who also happens to be their self-proclaimed emperor. Spend the night in the village’s tents.

Day 21:

We will continue our descent for around two hours after breakfast. Eventually, we will reach Kinshasa and be able to disembark from the boat and its crew.

Get a ride downtown, then spend the night at the hotel gratis.

A unique dinner buffet with dishes from the Congo.

Day 22:

Totally unscheduled day. Finally, make your way to the airport so you can depart from the Congo.

  • An invitation to apply for a visa is part of the Congo River Cruise ticket.
    Served both before and throughout the voyage. in the cities that came before and after it.
  • Tented lodging on the water journey and two-star hotel stays in Kinshasa, Kisangani, and Mbandaka are all part of the package.
  • Includes all sightseeing as shown on the internet and in the previous itinerary delivered on a daily basis.
  • Has transports to and from Kinshasa and Kisangani airports included.
  • Includes guides who are fluent in both French and English. An additional expense (and advance notice) is required to arrange for a guide who speaks Japanese, Chinese, Spanish, or Portuguese.

End of the 22 Days Congo River Cruise Behind The Scenes Experience